The Las Vegas Raiders fell to 3-5 on the year in an ugly loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. Just days after this rough performance, the team made massive changes regarding head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.
McDaniels is just two seasons into a six-year deal with the Raiders that he signed before the 2022 season. In his tenure with the team, the Raiders have just a 9-16 record.
Ziegler came along with McDaniels before the 2022 season. And both have not exactly had the tenure that Raiders fans would have hoped with the team.
It seems like Raiders owner Mark Davis has seen enough from both McDaniels and Ziegler. The team released a statement announcing that both have been relieved of their duties early Thursday morning.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 1, 2023
The statement included comments from Davis directly, stating that he wanted to thank them for their service and wish them both the best moving forward.
“After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh (McDaniels) and Dave (Ziegler). I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best,” wrote Davis in the statement.
It’s not exactly a shocking decision coming from the Raiders, as there is very clearly something very wrong with this team that is holding them back.
Some fans were blaming starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who leads the NFL in interceptions, for their struggles. But it seems like Mark Davis believes that their issues start from the top down.
An official decision on who will be the interim coach for the rest of the season has not officially come from the team at this point.
However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former NFL player and current Raiders linebackers coach Antonio Pierce is expected to be officially named the interim coach by the team in the coming days.
Sources; Raiders are planning to name LB coach Antonio Pierce as their interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/ABVVZSCsV8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2023